CHALLENGE FE’S FIGHT REAL GUARANTEE OF BEING IN TO TACKLE OR POLICY NCG FAMILY HATE CRIME DECEPTION? Page 16 Page 7-8 Page 4

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Sixth formers exhibit creativity during lockdown page 10 terminated without warning ESFA quietly pull-plug on apprenticeship providers failing minimum standards despite claiming they would defer intervention during coronavirus crisis. Contracts end in July and apprentices will need to be found new providers if they are to finish their course.

Exclusive Page 5 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

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Please inform the FE Week editor of any errors or issues of concern regarding this publication. 2 Contents EDITION 319

DfE to tackle ‘fake news’ with its own rapid rebuttal unit

Manchester and Grimsby colleges both double winners at AoC Beacon Awards Page 4 Page 11

We must grab the chance to create a bold new vision for apprenticeships Page 21

FE has a pivotal role over the next two years (and there is no time to lose) Page 23

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Labour brands PM’s apprenticeship ‘guarantee’ a ‘deception’

BILLY CAMDEN FE sector, with some lauding the proposal while job market are given false reassurance it really [email protected] others are sceptical about its viability (see page 22). is most unfair. I’m calling on the government to The idea of an apprenticeship “guarantee” be clear about what it is they are offering here, Labour’s shadow apprenticeships minister has originally came from education select committee and not to use words like ‘guarantee’ unless they branded the prime minister’s “apprenticeship chair Robert Halfon, who tabled it Johnson during genuinely are guaranteeing that young people will guarantee” proposal a “deception”. last week’s liaison committee hearing. have an apprenticeship.” Toby Perkins told FE Week he was “concerned” It is not clear, however, exactly how an The Department for Education has provided a that young people were being given “false apprenticeship could be “guaranteed” and the statement in response to Johnson’s comments, but reassurance” by Boris Johnson at a time when they government has so far stopped short of explaining it fails to reference the “apprenticeship guarantee”. are facing “a very difficult job market”. how it would work, or even if it is an official policy A spokesperson said: “Apprenticeships are an His comments came after Johnson told the nation they are working on. excellent way to get into a wide range of rewarding during his coronavirus briefing on Wednesday Perkins said: “I am very concerned that a and valuable careers, and they will continue to that young people “should be guaranteed an deception is being performed here because the play a vital role in delivering the high-quality apprenticeship” after warning of “many, many job announcement as I understand it is that the skills employers need and that will support our losses” expected from the fallout of Covid-19. government will fund the learning part of an economic recovery post Covid-19. The prime minister added that young people “in apprenticeship, but we all know the most “We are looking at ensuring that we support particular” are at the highest risk of losing their expensive part of employing an apprentice employers, especially small businesses, to take jobs or being unable to find work, so “it is going is paying their wages, and if the government on new apprentices this year and will provide to be vital that we guarantee apprenticeships for aren’t offering to do that then this no further detail in due course.” young people”. way constitutes a ‘guarantee’. Halfon has written for FE Week on His comments made headlines across the “When young people who are why an apprenticeship guarantee is national media and has divided opinion in the facing potentially a very difficult Boris Johnson needed (see page 21). DfE to tackle ‘fake news’ with its own rapid rebuttal unit

BILLY CAMDEN In March, the Cabinet Office announced this department guidance” following two stories that [email protected] unit would now combat misinformation about appeared last Sunday. Covid-19. It said that one in The Independent reported Exclusive There do not appear to be any other similar on claims made by National Education Union teams across Whitehall, which means the DfE joint general secretary Mary Bousted that the The Department for Education has set up a “rapid could have the first department-specific rebuttal department’s guidance to schools on how to rebuttal unit” to tackle “fake news”. unit. open to more pupils had been updated 41 times It is said to be one of the first department- Damian Hinds, the former education secretary, since May 12. specific teams in government to challenge raised the problem of fake news just before he The DfE claimed this was “untrue”; the “misinformation at the source” and rebuff was sacked in July 2019. He spoke at a social media guidance had been updated “just once since it “misleading content” before it reaches the summit about the “spread of misleading content was published last month”. mainstream. on vaccinations” in schools, but added this “issue Another article, published by The Mirror, Two job adverts for media officers state that this goes much further than that, and without firm reported that celebrity fitness guru Joe Wicks work is “more vital than ever” in making sure the action it is set to get a lot worse”. was due to lead a review of the PE curriculum, public is not “deceived by so-called fake news”. Gavin Williamson, his successor, has not publicly which the DfE said again was “not true”. It adds: “The department’s new rapid repeated this concern, but his department has The government’s existing anti-fake news units rebuttal unit is one of the first in government rebutted stories published by the media. have, however, come in for criticism, with the to be looking to tackle misinformation at the On April 18, a preview of the Sunday Times’s Liberal Democrats’ former Brexit spokesperson source with a team that will aim to make sure front page revealed reports that senior ministers Tom Brake last year describing them as misleading content running in the media or on had drawn up plans for schools to reopen as early “shameful spin machines”. social media is corrected in the shortest period as May 11. A DfE spokesperson said: “In line with wider possible time before it reaches the mainstream But the DfE tweeted that evening: “No decision work by the government communication and misinforms the public.” has been made on a timetable for reopening service, we want to identify and counter A DfE spokesperson told FE Week the unit schools. Schools remain closed until further misinformation and disinformation online, officially went live last Tuesday and currently has notice, except for children of critical workers and whether it is shared inadvertently or maliciously. a team of three media officers. the most vulnerable children. Schools will only “That’s why we’re looking for talented In 2018 Theresa May set up a similar reopen when the scientific advice indicates it is individuals to join our team, helping us dispel government-wide “rapid response” unit to the right time to do so.” myths and explain education policies to the counter fake news. Michael Gove used it in And just this week the DfE published a blog public using straightforward, easy-to-understand August last year to target Brexit half-truths. entitled “addressing misleading claims about social media content, blogs, and more.”

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Terminated: ESFA bin apprenticeship providers for low achievement rates

NICK LINFORD [email protected]

From front Exclusive

Apprenticeship providers have been left shocked after the Education and Skills Funding Agency ignored their own coronavirus deferral policy and sent out contract termination letters, FE Week can reveal. The business-ending intervention for failing the minimum standards for achievement rates comes just weeks after the ESFA wrote to providers claiming they would postpone decisions until as late as October, to take account of the “continuing challenges” relating

to Covid-19. underperformance with the ESFA in February underperformance against the minimum One provider that did not wish to be named, and thought the matter was closed as they had standard threshold for 2018 to 2019 and your with hundreds of apprentices, shared with FE not received the deferral letter sent to other organisation’s track record relative to the Week a letter it received this week that said the providers last month. minimum standard in previous years”. agency was providing “notice of termination” When FE Week challenged the Department for In an FE Week webcast at the end of April, on July 31. Access to all funding would then Education on the unexpected interventions this apprenticeships and skills minister Gillian end and the training firm would be removed week a spokesperson said there had been no Keegan expressed concern at historic “low- from the Register of Apprenticeship Training change relating to deferrals but that in a small quality” apprenticeships delivery. Providers. number of cases contracts are being terminated She said: “I was quite shocked at some of the The letter went on to say all new starts must at this stage. lower quality delivery that happened in the first cease immediately and the provider must “do The DfE refused to comment further on why stages of the levy being introduced and I never its utmost to minimise disruption caused to the ESFA was ignoring their own published want to go back to those days…I’ve met people apprentices”. deferral policy by taking action during the on the doorstep who’ve actually said to me this The provider shared the reasons for their global pandemic. is a load of old rubbish. We have to make sure As previously reported, overall national that every apprenticeship is quality.” apprenticeship achievement rates dropped 2.2 Once a notice of contract termination has per cent points last year to just 64.7 per cent. been issued, the DfE said the ESFA works with The achievement rate for the new the provider to ensure that the apprentices apprenticeship standards were particularly low, and their employers receive advice about how averaging just 46.6 per cent compared to 68.7 to successfully complete their learning. This, per cent for frameworks. they said, could include finishing with the same Providers have to have more than 40 per cent provider or transferring to a new provider, and of their cohort on frameworks and standards that in practice, this depends on the time left to above a 62 per cent achievement rate to achieve complete the learning activity. the minimum standard. The spokesperson went on to say that the The contract termination letter said that ESFA will continue to talk to and monitor all in coming to their decision the ESFA had providers who have failed minimum standards taken account of the evidence submitted for all aged apprenticeships in 2018 to 2019, as Gillian Keegan by the provider along with “the scale of part of their management of further education.

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] FE's fight to tackle hate crime

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU [email protected]

Exclusive

Hate crimes in colleges have almost tripled in four years as leaders seek to raise awareness in light of a national spike since the coronavirus outbreak. The data obtained via Freedom of Information requests by FE Week from 23 of the 39 police forces in England reveal that 460 offences were recorded in colleges between 2015 and 2019. There were 50 hate crimes five years ago, a figure that jumped to 72 and then 92 in Asian communities had increased by 21 per cent motivator of hate crimes in colleges provided 2016 and 2017 respectively. The number of during the Covid-19 pandemic. Police have also each year was racism. offences in colleges rose to 106 in 2018 and estimated a threefold increase in such incidents For example, graffiti of swastikas was painted increased again to 140 last year. against Chinese people between January and in the car park of West Suffolk College in The Crown Prosecution Service describes March 2020, compared to the previous two January, according to the Bury Free Press. hate crimes as offences “motivated by years. Xenophobic leaflets, telling people to “go hostility” towards someone’s disability, race, Exeter is one area that is experiencing the back to their homelands”, were also found at religion, sexual orientation or transgender spike: at least six reports of coronavirus-related Oaklands College in Hertfordshire last year, identity. attacks were received by Devon and Cornwall according to the Herts Advertiser. They can include verbal abuse, Police by March 6. The need to educate perpetrators on reliable intimidation, threats, harassment, assault, Exeter College has since committed to using sources of information and embed raising bullying and damage to property. its influence among young people to condemn awareness into curriculums and enrichment There has been an upward trend nationally, such acts. Although no Covid-related hate crime programmes was cited by college leaders who with the number of offences recorded by the incident has taken place at the college, it signed spoke to FE Week. police having more than doubled in 2018-19 a joint open letter on tackling the issue and Jane Belcher, head of safeguarding at South compared to 2012-13, according to the Home racism in its community in the same month, Essex College, said some staff and students Office. It claimed that increases have been calling recent attacks on people in relation to had in recent months received support in how “mainly driven by improvements in crime Covid-19 on the basis of ethnicity “cowardly and to make reports, how to keep safe and what recording”, but also noted that there have ignorant”. to do if they did not feel safe after expressing been spikes after certain events, such as the It said: “As leading organisations in our concern about hate crime in their community EU referendum in 2016 and terrorist attacks community we wanted to send a message of following Covid-19. The college was also “very in 2017. unity and partnership so that everyone knows proactive in making sure that there was Last month, Home Office minister for that we will stand together to tackle hate crime information on our Moodle pages”. countering extremism Susan Williams told and hateful people.” She added there had been three incidents the home affairs select committee that hate While each police force has different methods at the college in 2019 and estimates there crime directed towards South and East of recording the data, the most common are under five a year. “All of our staff are told [they’re] not bystanders. If we hear it, we step in, we readjust that view and have a conversation.” According to Belcher, tutorials are South Essex College’s “linchpin” for open discussions and to highlight individuals who might be at risk or need more support. Staff focus on where potentially harmful student views have come from and what their sources of TOWIE's Bobby Norris (centre) after speaking to learners at information are. “It’s our job as educators to South Essex College about his #EndTheTrend2Troll campaign [develop] those critical thinking skills in our

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected]

young people… It’s just providing that safe space for them to start understanding why that view isn’t accepted.” The safeguarding head has previously used conversation-starters such as a radicalisation storyline on teenage soap opera Hollyoaks, a Buzzfeed article illustrating a double standard between media coverage of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, as well as news that Facebook banned far-right groups. The college has also brought in outside speakers to engage learners, such as The Only Way Is Essex’s Bobby Norris, who came to its Southend campus in October 2019 as part of his campaign to make online homophobia a specific criminal offence. Similarly, East Coast College has a number Students from Stockport College's Equalities Council (part of Trafford College Group) presenting of initiatives in place to tackle hate crime. Sylvia Lancaster (centre) with a £640 cheque after fundraising for the Sophie Lancaster Nikki Lane, assistant principal, student Foundation last year. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, also pictured on her left. wellbeing and support, told FE Week a partnership with Norfolk Constabulary suspended for violating the platform’s anti-hate support your trainers to spot the indicators began after the Brexit vote, when students policy), was also blamed. early, educate learners through good and staff raised an increase in incidents in “[Students] are kind of feeling like maybe safeguarding material, have a zero tolerance the community. “The idea was actually to it’s OK to say those things, and then the of bullying and provide proactive welfare look at prevention.” conversation that we’re having is helping them support.” The college uses a tutorial programme understand the impact of that.” A statutory duty for further education of around six interventions a year as well Trafford College Group hosted its own annual providers to “prevent people from being as additional enrichment activities as a Hate Crime awareness event in March, reaching drawn into terrorism” was introduced into “springboard” for groups to understand what 1,000 students. Speakers included a victim of an government legislation in 2015, after the a hate message is and to discuss where they attack outside a mosque, the mother of Sophie controversial anti-radicalisation programme are seeing them. Lancaster – who was killed after being targeted (Prevent) was first created in 2003. Lane added that apprentices also consider because of her Goth subculture identity – as well Mike Ainsworth, director of London services hate crime as part of discussions about as members from Remembering Srebrenica, the at Stop Hate UK, a national organisation that equality with assessors, while adult learners Bosnian town that was the site of a genocidal supports education providers through its are addressed on the topic as part of their massacre in 1995. helpline and training services, said their work induction. Michelle McLaughlin, student engagement has shown that racism, homophobia, religious East Coast College said it has seen and student voice lead, recommended that intolerance and disability hate “remain “reasonably low” increases of hate crimes in other colleges reach out to their community and problems in places of further education”. recent years. Most incidents at the college ensure they have representatives that “serve the He added that the number of cases reported have been verbal. However, social media, diversity of the college cohort” and to “keep your are a “significant underestimate”, with many and accessing the rhetoric of figures such finger on the pulse of what’s going on in your students (particularly foreign nationals, those as Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins local area”. with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ (whose Twitter account has previously been While the FOI figures obtained by FE Week are community) reluctant to come forward. specifically for incidents in colleges, other types Such experiences can have a significant of FE providers have also implemented policies effect on learners. A survey by the National to combat the issue. Union of Students in 2010 revealed that Bedford-based private provider Firebrand victims reported resulting mental health Training receives specialist guidance and a hate problems in almost a quarter of hate crimes. crime “heat map” from its designated regional This included depression, loss of confidence Department for Education FE/HE Prevent as well as feelings of vulnerability, isolation coordinator. Ben Hansford, managing director and being alone. of apprenticeships, said that the company was A government spokesperson said: “There advised to look out for unacceptable stickers in is absolutely no place in our society for hate communal areas and behavioural signals, such crimes and we will continue to work across as lower-level hate crime and bullying, damage government and with the police to bear down

Stop Hate UK representative, Angela to belongings and “jokes”. on offenders, support victims and irradiate Wright, at Trafford College Group Hansford added: “It’s critical to train and this prejudice.”

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NNNoomminiinnaaatttiioioonnn D DDeeeaaadddlilninee:: :FF rFririddiadayay y 22 626t6thth hJ uJ uJnunenee Nomination Deadline: Friday 26th June SSShhoorrtttlillsiissttt R RReeevvveeeaaalleeledd: :T Thhhuuurrsrsdsdadayay y 99 t9thth hJ uJ uJluyly l2y 20 202002200 Shortlist Revealed: Thursday 9th July 2020 Awards Gala Dinner: November 2020 AAwwaarrddss G Gaalala D Dininnneerr: :N Noovveemmbbeerr 2 2002200 Awards Gala Dinner: November 2020 www.BameApprenticeshipAwards.co.uk wwwwww.B.BaammeeAApppprreenntticiceesshhipipAAwwaarrddss.c.coo.u.ukk www.BameApprenticeshipAwards.co.uk SSponssoorreedd BByy:: Sponsored By: Sponsored By: @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] College student exhibition showcases life in lockdown

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU [email protected]

From front

An online photography and artworks exhibition to showcase the life of sixth-form college students during lockdown has been launched by the apprenticeships and skills minister, Gillian Keegan. More than 140 students from 46 colleges submitted contributions to At Home, which is Christ the King Sixth Form College student Victoria Pansu's piece being co-ordinated by the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA). directly) people have made to the way they live They depict the challenges they face during their lives that “seem so silly but are incredibly the pandemic, such as separation, social Xaverian College student important to try and stop the spread of Covid-19”. Shannon Baldwin's piece distancing, loneliness and overthinking. Johnson, who wants to study fashion Gillian Keegan said: “This has been a difficult photography at university next year, said the time for the entire country, but this exhibition lockdown experience has also inspired her to exhibition had opened her eyes to still-life and is a wonderful example of how creativity can produce a short film on the same theme. documentary-style portraiture. She added: flourish in the face of adversity. Charlotte Davis, an A-level student at “Art is and will always be a form of escapism “It’s great to see how these sixth-form Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, told FE and people can express their feelings through students have captured the experiences of Week that she wanted to portray the “feeling different art mediums, which I feel is even more lockdown from a young person’s perspective.” of isolation during lockdown… and not being important in a time when there isn’t much One of the featured A-level students from able to see family”. clarification.” Grimsby-based Franklin College, Kate Johnson, Davis’s artwork shows a family portrait of Emily Vivian Salomon, an A-level student at told FE Week: “I wanted to capture the way life her grandparents holding her as a baby. They Franklin College whose photograph “Hands has adapted.” were “really happy” to hear the news about it Are For Holding” is also being showcased, said Her submission “2 Metres Distance” showed being selected for the exhibition, she said. she decided to participate to have an outlet for one of the smaller changes (not handling post The first-year college student said she creativity while stuck indoors. decided to submit her work after gaining She added: “I’m really excited to be given the confidence since the beginning of her course. opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what other Bill Watkin, chief executive of the SFCA, people have done as praised the “extraordinary artistic talent” in well.” the sector and said the national exhibition had Her photograph been put on to “stimulate our thinking about represents being the world this summer”. “physically inside but He added: “If young people are to make a mentally trying to valuable contribution to society – even if escape the confines of they are to be successful scientists, engineers, your own home”. doctors and technicians – they need to develop Salomon plans to their creative skills, their artistic sensitivities stay at the college and their ability to interact with others. to complete an art “All of this will be more important than ever foundation course in the post-Covid world.” next year and study The exhibition runs until June 19. You can Emily Vivian Salomon from Franklin photography at view the full exhibition by visiting https:// College and her piece (right) university after that. Her www.sixthformcolleges.org/411/at-home.

10 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Manchester and Grimsby colleges both double winners at AoC Beacon Awards

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU [email protected]

The Manchester College and the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education both picked up two honours each in the 25th Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards. The winners and runners-up were announced in a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday after the scheduled parliamentary reception in July had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Eight prizes were handed out to six further education establishments from a total of 130 entries submitted by more than 100 colleges. Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I’m proud to champion colleges, further education and skills for the whole country and, picked up first prize in the virtual ceremony – education in a relatable way”. as colleges, you should be incredibly proud the British Council Award. Another Beacon Award winner was of your actions, your achievements and the It won for what the AoC described as the EKC Group, which took home the Pears businesses and people you continue to help UK’s largest staff international research #iwill Award for Social Action and Student and to support.” innovation –an Erasmus+ project that Engagement for its social action and student The Manchester College received the Careers “improved opportunities for their local engagement through a series of community and Enterprise Company Award for Innovation community”. weeks. These had a positive impact on the in Careers and Enterprise for offering students Grimsby Institute also received the Edge community they serve. “a seamless, holistic experience” on their Award for Excellence in the Practical Delivery In addition, Barnsley College was handed pathways to work-readiness. of Technical and Professional Learning for the NOCN Group Mental Health and Wellbeing It also won the Jisc Award for Effective Use “radically changing the teaching and learning Award for a college-wide organisational of Digital Technology in Further Education on its full-time media courses, trailblazing a transformation programme to enhance the for creating more than 100 bespoke assistive brave new way forwards for vocational delivery mental health, wellbeing and welfare of its technology solutions each year. with innovation, creativity, responsiveness and learners, its staff and its community. The Manchester College said it was a collaborative approach with employers and Fareham College picked up the City & “tremendously proud” of its success and industry, who work hand in hand to facilitate Guilds Award for College Engagement tweeted: “Thank you to all of our amazing qualification achievement”. with Employers after designing a “highly colleagues who have gone above and beyond to In celebration, Grimsby Institute tweeted: innovative” civil engineering and groundworks make this possible.” “Congratulations to our fantastic students training initiative. Julie Nerney, chair of the AoC’s charitable and staff. We are so proud of your incredible And Preston’s College received the RCU trust, said Manchester College’s work efforts, today and always.” Support for Students Award for creating enabling learners to make informed choices Nerney added that Grimsby Institute’s work bespoke programmes for asylum-seeker about their progression will have a “lasting and partnerships overseas show “how vital students. The AoC said Preston’s initiative effect on the rest of their lives”. She added colleges are to maintaining our reputation “aims to empower and equip learners that excelling digitally is particularly important and connections as the UK prepares to with skills vital to starting to reclaim their during this period. leave the EU” and added that the college is lives, through a supported education, after The other double award-winner, Grimsby “inspirational in the way the teaching delivered such shocking and harrowing journeys and Institute of Further and Higher Education, is accessible, and students get to experience ordeals”.

11 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

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Redundancies planned at massive apprenticeships provider

BILLY CAMDEN however, it is now clear that activity in our was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted following a visit [email protected] sector will be reduced for some time and this in January this year when the firm had 6,500 has been confirmed in recent conversations apprentices. Around 2,700 of those were with clients,” they added. studying IT, around 2,500 were on business Exclusive “As a result, the group needs to reduce costs administration and law apprenticeships, and this will involve all areas of the business and and 2,000 were on business management A huge training provider that delivers hundreds is likely to result in a number of redundancies.” apprenticeships. of apprenticeships for the civil service is The spokesperson said these steps will ensure It is also an approved provider of planning to make major redundancies. that QA “weathers the current crisis well and apprenticeships to the Crown Commercial Training giant QA Limited, which currently is then able to play a key role in the economic Service and a subcontractor to KPMG – employs over 2,250 staff, is bracing itself recovery that will follow by providing skills to training hundreds of apprentices for the civil for business to plummet following recent help businesses grow and create new jobs”. service in departments such as the Cabinet conversations with their clients as a result of QA is one the largest apprenticeship providers Office and the Treasury. KPMG was rated Covid-19. in England and one of the first to announce ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in March 2020 in a FE Week understands that hundreds of those redundancy plans as a result of coronavirus. report that criticised the provision offered by jobs are now at risk, but the company would not It offers commercial training and its subcontractors. be drawn on a figure. It is preparing to launch a apprenticeships to the technology sector and QA came under new leadership in consultation on the losses in the coming weeks. recorded a £181 million turnover in its most September 2019 when former RBS and Direct A QA spokesperson said that since the start recently published financial accounts, for 2018. Line Group boss Paul Geddes took over as of the pandemic, the firm has taken “extensive The firm already made 90 of its staff redundant chief executive from William Macpherson. measures to ensure that it can continue in January 2020 after taking a strategic decision Macpherson retired two years after he to serve its customers and provide critical to refocus its apprenticeship division to more helped strike a deal for private equity firm training virtually, while its training centres technology focussed programmes, according to CVC Capital Partners to buy out QA from have been closed. the spokesperson. previous owners Bregal Investments. The “Due to the severe economic recession, QA has 19 training centres across England and deal was reportedly worth £700 million.

AELP drops Covid-19 supplier relief legal challenge

BILLY CAMDEN on April 27 after the ESFA excluded the majority [email protected] of apprenticeship providers (those funded through the government’s digital system) from their supplier relief scheme. The Association of Employment and Learning It argued that the ESFA’s claim that Providers has decided not to pursue legal apprenticeships funded through the digital action against the Education and Skills Funding system, mainly with levy-paying employers, are a Agency’s Covid-19 supplier relief scheme. contract with the employer and provider was “an Lawyers have advised that the only challenge abuse of power” and makes their supplier relief they could now take would be to seek a judicial scheme “unlawful”. review, which the board of the membership The Government Legal Department (GLD) organisation believes would come “at a responded on May 14 and concluded that it is “not significant cost”. accepted that the relief scheme is unlawful on A statement released on Monday added that any of the grounds alleged by the AELP (or on any while a positive result from a judicial review other grounds)”. contract”. would be to review the supplier relief process, AELP said their lawyers have indicated that The Labour Party’s shadow education team there would still be “no guarantee of substantial the GLD’s response does not make a case for wrote to education secretary Gavin Williamson support from the Department for Education for defending the DfE’s position on the application last week and accused the government of failing suppliers even after that” and this would also of supplier relief, and that the AELP’s board feels to make a “serious attempt” to answer AELP’s “take time, to a point where it might be too late “strongly” that the letter is simply one of “rebuttal claim. for many AELP members”. and it avoids addressing the key issues such as the They also called for officials to abandon A legal letter was sent from law firm Veale legal agreement between the ESFA and a provider their “very flimsy case” for the majority of Wasbrough Vizards LLP on behalf of the AELP for levy-funded apprenticeships constituting a apprenticeships from the supplier relief scheme.

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] June 15 reopening: the key points

BILLY CAMDEN [email protected] Providers have ‘flexibility’ over which learners can return From the week commencing June 15, FE This includes adult students providers “should offer some face-to-face in classes where they are on Last week, prime minister Boris Johnson gave contact for 16-to-19 learners on the first year the same 16-to-19 vocational course, as well colleges and other FE providers the green light of a study programme” alongside the current as 16-to-19 learners who were due to finish to begin their wider reopening from June 15 provision offered to vulnerable learners this academic year but have not been able to after announcing the government’s “five tests” (including those at high risk of becoming NEET) because their assessments have been deferred. for easing lockdown were all being met. and the children of critical workers. Apprentices can also be brought back for Leaders had been preparing to begin face-to- This will “primarily” impact colleges but will face-to-face contact. face contact with more students from June 1, also include a “small number of local authority The last group that can be brought back are but the decision to enforce a two-week delay to providers, special post-16 institutions and learners who “may be on extended programmes, this was made on May 24. independent training providers”. for example because they are studying part time, While the DfE’s “overriding principle” is that alongside caring responsibilities or had to retake The Department for Education has updated the focus should be 16-to-19-year-olds on the exams or part of their programme”. If they are its guidance for the wider reopening of FE first year of a two-year programme, there is part way through a study programme, and have settings, including apprenticeships, in recent “flexibility” to bring back four other types of “key” exams and assessments next year, they days to assist providers with their plans. learners, including adults. “can be included”. Here are the key points you need to know.

Can apprentices of Remote learning ‘should remain Only welcome back 25 per all ages return? the predominant mode of learning’ cent of students at a time The DfE said they recognise that for some Yes, but 16-to-19 apprentices should again be To help reduce the coronavirus transmission programmes, remote education will be “prioritised”. risk, the guidance states the number of The DfE updated its separate guidance learners attending at any one time will be working “effectively with a high degree of for apprenticeships on Tuesday which said “limited to a quarter of those on the first year learner engagement”. they support offering face-to-face contact of a two-year 16-to-19 study programme”. Colleges and other providers will have to any 16-to-19 apprentice, although This is in “addition” to vulnerable young “flexibility to decide the appropriate mix of training providers could offer this to “certain people and children of critical workers outside online and face-to-face content for each groups”, such as those on the first year of of this cohort who might already be in full- programme, within the constraint of limiting an apprenticeship, those who require on- time attendance. those on site at any one time, reflecting site training to help them complete their If adult learners or apprentices do return for what will maximise learner engagement apprenticeship, or those who have upcoming face-to-face delivery, the maximum as well as supporting more vulnerable “key assessment dates” and would “therefore number of 16-to-19-year-olds learners, and enabling the provider as a particularly benefit from face-to-face training”. attending on site at any one whole to minimise transmission risk”. Providers “can choose to allow” apprentices time “must be reduced to They added that remote education ensure the setting remains who are over 19 to attend, but “should “should remain the predominant mode of within the overall limit”. continue to prioritise 16-to-19 apprentices”. learning during this time”.

Furlough scheme A range of protective measures should be being tapered implemented but funded from own budgets Wider government guidance on their The DfE said they “will ask settings to job retention scheme, which is being implement a range of protective measures”, used by many providers in FE, has also including increased cleaning, reducing been updated in recent days following “pinch points” (such as at the start and chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement end of day), and utilising on how it will work beyond June. outdoor space. Leaders should note that from July Any additional costs 1, 2020, they will have the “flexibility to arising from wider opening, such as personal bring previously furloughed employees protective equipment (PPE) must, however, back to work part-time”. be funded “from existing college budgets”. And importantly, the scheme will “close” to new entrants from June 30.

14 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] ‘A very different September’ debated by roundtable of experts

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU an additional challenge to post-16 [email protected] institutions to match them to a programme of study, so there “may be more adjustments needed in The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a great deal of those early stages”. disruption across education, including cancelled Corney tabled education select exams and campus closures to most learners, the committee chair Robert Halfon’s impact of which is expected to be felt into the idea of an “apprenticeships

next academic year and likely beyond. guarantee” (see page 19) after prime Education leaders and policy experts Education leaders and policy experts discussed minister Boris Johnson said he discussing the anticipated ongoing impact of coronavirus at the roundtable debate the anticipated ongoing impact on 16-to-24- would “look at the idea” last week year-olds, adult learners and apprenticeships and mentioned it again during his at an FE Week roundtable debate on Tuesday, in coronavirus briefing on Wednesday (see page 4). education budget”. partnership with NCFE. Corney cautioned against this potential She added that there will be a “fear factor” It followed the joint publication of a discussion “overpromise” and instead recommended the for adults returning to work or participating in paper by NCFE and Campaign for Learning, expansion of funding for 19-to-24 full-time places groups, so believes it will be necessary to offer a education policy consultant Mark Corney, and at FE colleges, maintenance support to complete “blended model” for the foreseeable future. director of policy at Holex adult education level 3 qualifications and a T-level “guarantee”. The final discussion point of the roundtable network Susan Pember, which warns of a “very Robinson challenged the latter, arguing the roll- was the impact on apprenticeships. Corney different September” to the one Whitehall had out of the new technical qualifications is already proposed a single education and apprenticeship planned for. “relatively slow”, with capacity concerns within the participation budget for 16-to-18-year-olds to One key area of concern is safe travel and social sector, and that this could put it at further risk. switch between different types of provision. distancing on transport for younger learners as The Association of Employment and Learning Ashworth called the idea a “no-brainer” but they move to and from their college or training Providers’ chief policy officer Simon Ashworth said it should be funded by government rather provider. suggested traineeships as an alternative than the levy. Principal of New College Durham, John established programme to help young people Robinson questioned whether there was a Widdowson, told the roundtable this is a develop their skills to enter the jobs market, which need to “triage” sector demands to those which particular problem for rural areas and he is he said could be a “useful vehicle” if flexibilities are would make the most impact due to the number considering a shortened college day, for example, introduced in the long term. of industries asking for support, concluding between 10am and 3.30pm, to lessen pressure on However, Brenda McLeish, chief executive it “needs to be simple and broad, rather than lots public transport at peak times. of Learning Curve Group, said there are “big of small sector asks”. “We know that only half capacity will be concerns” over the provision of work placements In contrast to the view of Nick Hillman, allowed on each bus that comes in because of due to Covid-19 and staff redundancies, as well as director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, social distancing, we know that they are going the ability to recruit new apprentices during this that apprenticeships were not “near the top of to prioritise people coming to work, so we’re period. [universities’] concerns at this time”, Ashworth thinking about maybe a differently timed college She said: “What we need is definitely a skills said some higher education institutions see day,” he explained. training programme, and a funding guarantee for them as an “opportunity to supplement or refill Widdowson added that his college is also these people.” some of the income they might lose from other “thinking about potentially having – instead of Turning to the needs of adults, Stephen Evans, traditional streams”. trying to plan a curriculum on a linear basis, chief executive of the Learning and Work Institute, Pember, who “didn’t want to be doom September through to June-July – to modularise claimed: “We really need a much bigger scale and gloom”, concluded the roundtable was it, so we’ll do complete units of learning, which is of ambition and action and urgent action to get underestimating size of unemployment in something we’ve not really done before, but that proper help and support to [furloughed workers] autumn, and doubts that employers will offer then gives them something in the bank”. as well.” apprenticeships to level 2 and 3 learners rather David Robinson from the Education Policy Unit McLeish talked about the success of her than existing employees at higher levels in the touched on the topic of calculated grades being provider’s #EducateWhileYouIsolate campaign, next 18 months. awarded to students this summer following which had received 28,000 expressions of interest the cancellation of exams. He warned that, in online courses within its first six weeks, but To watch the debate as teacher assessment “tends to be biased” lamented that there was “no funding pot there CLICK HERE against disadvantaged learners, it could prove to sustain it… [or] any increase in the adult

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Introducing... GERARD GARVEY Principal, Newcastle Sixth Form College

'I’m doing the job I always wanted to do. I can still take it further here.'

JESS STAUFENBERG incredible that as a 17-year-old, Gerard Garvey, Garvey grew up in Knowsley, Liverpool, one of @STAUFENBERGJ principal of Newcastle Sixth Form College, got the most deprived areas in England. His father to the last two years of his education and fell in died when he was 5 and his mother brought lifelong love with sixth-form provision. up him and his baby brother. “My mum did a FE Week meets a sixth-form college principal But it makes sense when you hear about his cracking job of holding it all together, but when who has known since he was 17 what he wanted feeling as a younger man of not always fitting you’re 26 and you’ve got to do it alone, that’s to be in, and the purpose that his qualifications and tough.” university degree gave. Garvey is a committed He headed to Knowsley Hey comprehensive, “I remember getting to sixth form and thinking advocate for the power of years 12 and 13, and which at the time he didn’t realise was in a vividly, ‘this is what I want to work in. This is the A-levels he rather movingly calls “your struggling area. “You look back and look at the the environment for me’.” It may seem quite passport qualifications”. statistics, and you think ‘blimey’. I’ve thought

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a lot about other people in my class who were bright, but didn’t end up with qualifications that would allow them to move on. I’ve done all right for myself and that was because of qualifications. There was just a handful of people from my year who went to university.” University wasn’t quite what Garvey’s family expected him to do. His mum’s family were “hard-working” people in trade professions, and there “wasn’t really a culture of academic aspiration at home, so sometimes I did feel a little different”. Coming to terms with his sexuality heightened the sense of standing apart. “I didn’t come out until I was 24. In my teens and early 20s, I didn’t know it, but I had depression and was struggling.” Not following other family members down

the same job paths did not surprise them, Gerard with Newcastle Sixth he admits. “I think they almost expected Form College Student of The Year 2020, Clark Kent Chavez me to go to university in the end because I was a bit novel!” He recalls with delight new committed to sixth forms in particular, because what, I’m not sure they need me’. It didn’t feel conversations and ideas encountered during I understand the power and real transformation like the kind of college I would have gone to his film studies degree at Liverpool John Moores of those qualifications. My GCSEs were modest, myself - in fact, because of my GCSEs I wouldn’t University. but actually A-levels really opened up those have got in.” But Garvey is clear it was the sixth form at opportunities.” Knowsley Community College that changed His self-awareness as a teenager about the his fortunes. He recalls being encouraged by possibilities of sixth form now makes sense. The “charismatic teachers” to pursue film and “They expected me setting had provided freedom and enjoyment. media (the subject he has taught in sixth-form Rather wonderfully, his mother later retrained to go to university colleges since). “Doing A-levels for me set in as a hair and beauty teacher at his old college. motion a series of events that has brought me because I was a But as a graduate Garvey was far from to where I am now. That’s why I’ve been so ready to settle, and he attributes his career bit novel!” “wanderlust” to not venturing out of Liverpool for his degree. He was also ambitious, and moved to New College He left to become head of media at Joseph Telford to complete his PGCE. One Chamberlain College in Birmingham under its day, a staff member from Winstanley inspiring principal, Lynn Morris. He stayed for sixth form college in Wigan came to five years until 2010 - and still calls Morris for give a talk. “They were saying how advice on leadership problems. Her ethos was wonderful their college was, the best that no one, staff or students, would be allowed in the country, and I thought, ‘right, I to “opt out”: everybody should be striving for want to work there’.” But it was a more brilliant outcomes. “That ethos has really stuck academically selective college that took with me. That is the kind of college I want to run in “really well-qualified 16-year-olds”, now.” and Garvey discovered it was not quite After senior leadership roles at Rochdale what he wanted. Sixth Form College and then Barnsley College’s Gerard aged 6 “I remember thinking, ‘do you know sixth form, Garvey is now taking that high-

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standards ethos to Newcastle. He is the college’s and Skills Funding Agency may be clawing Garvey says. “You’re trying to persuade parents, second principal since it opened in 2014 under back funding from the group, following but in league tables we’re down as NCG. The one of the country’s largest college groups, NCG. “data anomalies”. However, the point about competition can use that to their advantage.” He admits the large geographical spread of the collaboration still stands. Garvey appears deeply optimistic, energetic group has sometimes been “misunderstood”: But there is a downside. Garvey has and self-reflective. He is frank about what he it includes Newcastle, Newcastle Sixth Form introduced what he calls “cultural change and calls “not a high point” in his career – when he College, Carlisle College, West Lancashire contract change” to make improvements, yet was appointed chair of governors at Discovery College, Kidderminister College and Lewisham he struggles to demonstrate this to parents. School in Newcastle, which closed within four and Southwark Colleges, which seem impossibly He’s driving a culture of excellence and has years in 2018 after failing to recruit enough far apart. But there are upsides, Garvey says. changed the college’s contracts so he can pupils and being graded ‘inadequate’. recruit staff more quickly and set higher “I look back on it with sadness. I learned an salaries. At the same time, he’s made the awful lot, but you don’t necessarily want to “I understand the college more inclusive by expanding an access learn from a school being closed. You’re not programme that allows students without the in charge as chair, but you are carrying a lot power and real necessary grades to take a one-year GCSE of responsibility for it.” There are no plans for programme, to ensure they can begin their NCG to venture back into pre-16 provision, he transformation of desired A-levels the following year. adds. However, he would like more sixth-form qualifications” Yet there is a frustrating catch. To see colleges to join NCG, to share best practice. Newcastle Sixth Form College’s results, you have to look at NCG’s overall data and find “It’s not one mega college stretching across their A-level provision (now an impressive “It’s not one mega the country; it’s about seven colleges working 0.18 progress score). That’s unclear to a parent. together. We collaborate and share ideas.” One Similarly, the college has no individual Ofsted college; it’s about significant positive is the financial clout, with report and instead is lumped under NCG, £25 million poured into Newcastle Sixth Form which was graded ‘requires improvement’ at seven colleges out of NCG’s cash reserves (no loan needed). its last full inspection. In November, Ofsted working together” “We could never have got that as a standalone suggested it could move to “campus level” college.” These could be bygone days, however, inspection reports for college groups, but little since in January it emerged the Education has been confirmed. “It’s a big challenge for us,” After 19 years in the sector, Garvey is a positive voice for the power of A-levels and, indeed, university. “We’re talking about university from day one. A-levels are a passport qualification. Sometimes, when students are put on a mixed programme of A-levels and technical qualifications, it’s because staff are worried they won’t succeed. We don’t offer a mix: we believe, if you’ve got the best teacher and learner, you can turn A-levels into a success.” With university degrees still linked to higher earnings outcomes for students, such a voice is important. Meanwhile, for Garvey this post will soon be his longest held in FE. “I think I’m doing the job I always wanted to do. You need to enjoy what you’re doing, rather than move on to the next thing. I can still take it further here.” It sounds like he has arrived at his destination. Let’s hope the accountability measures are changed soon to reflect his and his team's hard work. Gerard with his Mum, Gela, and partner, Rich

18 EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

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Job Overview: Management Team you’ll get experience of How to apply: University College Birmingham is looking for policy and decision-making across Further We recommend interested applicants visit our an Executive Director of Academic Quality to and Higher Education. Our small size means website http://jobs.ucb.ac.uk/ for more details support us to achieve outstanding teaching that you can have a significant influence from on this opportunity. across all of our Further Education provision. day one. You’ll also get all of the usual great We want to hear from candidates with a benefits of being a member of staff at UCB, You will need to submit a written statement strong understanding of high quality teaching including a competitive salary, generous annual (maximum 4 sides) detailing your CV and a cover in FE, and the ability to translate complex leave, and access to our fantastic campus letter (maximum 2-sides) setting out specifically regulation and guidance into concrete action. facilities in the heart of Birmingham. how you meet the requirements of the role. You The ideal candidate will be able to lead diverse should use font size 11pt. teams to successful outcomes, and will be a Note for applicants: highly skilled communicator, with substantial All applicants for employment at the Please submit your completed application to experience of working in Further Education. University will be expected to demonstrate an [email protected] by no later than 5pm on You’ll have a real understanding of the range of understanding of the principles of Safeguarding Thursday 18 June. students and courses at UCB, and a hands-on, and the PREVENT agenda in the context of pragmatic approach to your work. further and higher education. An informal telephone conversation can be arranged by appointment with Alice Wilby, In return, we can offer a fantastic working Closing Date: Thursday 18 June 2020 at 5pm Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Access and Widening environment in an institution with big Interview Dates: Interviews will take place on Participation) by emailing [email protected] ambitions. As a member of the Executive 3 July 2020

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Robert We must grab the chance Halfon to create a bold new Chair of the education select committee vision for apprenticeships

An apprenticeship guarantee young person can be given that is just one measure in a radical opportunity to move on. new approach - a chance to re- FE Week has posed an establish a ladder of opportunity, important question about how says Robert Halfon the apprenticeship guarantee would work. I am pleased that Last week I raised with the Boris Johnson has agreed to look prime minister the idea of an at the idea as a first step and it now apprenticeship guarantee for falls on everyone with a stake in our young people, with everyone making apprenticeships a success between 16 and 25 with the right to get together to work out how to qualifications having access to make it happen. they will earn while they learn, job learning suspended. an apprenticeship in a relevant It is all about putting in place the have no debt at the end and, unlike The results of this survey are business or social enterprise. conditions for apprenticeships to many graduates, be virtually incredibly worrying. Not just We must recognise the flourish and I am determined that guaranteed a good job. because our skills deficit will widen hugely important role that the education committee will play Over the past few years it – the OECD found that 40 per cent apprenticeships can play as we its part in pushing the government looked like we were really of workers in the UK are in a job emerge into a post-pandemic to act and work with businesses making progress in building an for which they are not properly society. It is vital that the and training providers on a radical apprenticeship and skills nation. qualified - but, more significantly, government takes radical action new approach to skills. Between 2010 and 2015 more because hundreds of thousands to harness their benefits for the There needs to be an than two million apprenticeships of young people may not have a good of our economy and next evangelisation of what were created - since then another chance to climb the jobs ladder generation. apprenticeships can do, from 1.5 million. About 90 per cent of once this awful pandemic is over. the prime minister all the way qualified apprentices then stay on We’ve done enough tinkering “Over the through to every member of the with their employers. with apprenticeships, the levy government. We are lucky that the Sadly, over the past year our clearly is here to stay and it is past year our education secretary is passionate apprenticeship dream seems to be right that big business should apprenticeship about skills and further education stalling. Even before the pandemic, contribute to the cost of training. - and that Gillian Keegan, the the number of apprenticeship We now need a bold grand vision, dream seems to skills minister, did a degree starts in the first half of the last something that will really excite be stalling” apprenticeship (the only MP to academic year had dropped by the nation and say to every parent have done so). 11 per cent, with an even greater that their son or daughter will have The apprenticeship guarantee Every day, ministers, MPs, peers drop of 15 per cent for those aged an apprenticeship, skills training would be funded by the £3 billion and all those in authority should between 16 and 19. and a job future-proofed for the skills budget announced in the be talking up apprenticeships, and Last month’s report from the fourth industrial revolution. Conservative manifesto at the encouraging businesses to take Sutton Trust laid bare the challenge The coronavirus pandemic general election. This money apprentices on and young people that apprentices and businesses should be recognised as would cover the training costs to take them up. Businesses, FE have faced from Covid-19. It an important moment for of every would-be apprentice. colleges and training providers suggested up to two-thirds of re-establishing a ladder The Department for Education need more support to make this apprentices have lost out on work of opportunity. With an must then make sure that possible. experience or learning, with more apprenticeship guarantee, every there is a proper progression of Finally, there should be a target than a third furloughed. Eight per young person will have the chance apprenticeships from level 2 to that 50 per cent of students study cent have been made redundant to get the skills and training they degree level, and make sure every degree apprenticeships in which and 17 per cent have had off-the- need for a prosperous future.

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The prime minister’s ‘apprenticeship guarantee’: over-optimistic or visionary?

Two of our regular commentators on vocational education policy have ended up working together at the same consultancy. However, they have divergent views on whether the government can “guarantee” a person an apprenticeship. Here, each sets out their argument…

Possible? No Possible? Yes Jonathan simons John Cope Director of education, Deputy director of Public First education, Public First

An apprenticeship is a because it’s not within the In normal times, employers The UK is an outlier protected term in law. It means government’s gift. Unlike should lead the apprenticeship internationally. We pay high that someone undertaking one university places, or college system, as ultimately there apprentice salaries (much more must be following an approved places, which can be more or needs to be a real job at the end. than Germany) and employers programme of study; must be less expanded as far as the We are not in normal times pay a levy and all the costs of eligible for off-the-job training government would pay for though – as the prime minister’s taking on an apprentice. In for a proportion of the week; them, apprenticeships also “apprenticeship guarantee” for normal times, a reasonable and must be employed. need employers willing to offer young people rightly recognises. expectation. But now? The proposal has already That last element is crucial. It’s them. We should flip this on its head, been met with a barrage of what makes an apprenticeship And all the data suggests that like in Australia. The government doom-mongers and scepticism. different from college-based this is going to be very difficult. should pause the levy and Some justified, given the pace of learning, which can be done in Many current apprentices are actually pay employers to take on apprenticeship reform, and from a or out of employment. having their training paused, an apprentice (on the condition policy purist point, you can never The government is very and new starts are plummeting, there is a job at the end). 100 per cent “guarantee” anything. keen on apprenticeships, as companies furlough their Such thinking, though, would mostly because of the link to staff and wait out the Covid have vetoed the furlough scheme Fire up the public sector employers. As well as hiring storm. Sadly, it looks as if the as “too expensive” and flinched at The public sector is already a the apprentices, groups of economic recovery will be helping the self-employed as “too huge apprenticeship provider. employers have also set the slower than first thought. It’s hard to administer”. We should crank this up even standards that apprentices unlikely that many companies More than any politician, Boris more. And not just for the sake of work towards. And it is will be returning to pre-crisis Johnson understands that to artificially keeping NEET figures employers who choose which levels of training, let alone govern is not about patching up down – this is an opportunity to apprentices to take on in their offering more. the status quo. Politics is the art fill critical shortages. We need company, and how many, and Of course, there is more that of the possible – the attainable. more nurses, more teachers, where to deploy them. All of government can and should Are we saying young people don’t more police. There is an this activity is covered under do to promote high-quality deserve the same exceptional apprenticeship route ready for the much-used phrase “an apprenticeships – and I’m all in support our economy has each. employer-led system”. favour of those things that John received? I hope not. So there we go – how the PM’s And it’s because we have sets out. But to offer a guarantee So how could it work? “apprenticeship guarantee” could an employer-led system to young people, when it can’t be delivered with political will, that we simply can’t have an be met, isn’t just semantics – it’s Cash incentives for the new money, and vision. Young private sector apprenticeship guarantee: misleading, and poor policy. people deserve nothing less.

22 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

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Justine FE has a pivotal role over Greening the next two years (and Former secretary of state for education and founder of the Social there is no time to lose) Mobility Pledge

The sector must be allowed is long-known to be overly to respond to demands from restrictive for employers to invest existing and new students, many in skills. In a deep recession of them disadvantaged, says it would be unjustifiable and Justine Greening. It must also unacceptable for levy accounts be ready to help hundreds of to have millions of pounds of thousands of people to reskill unused funding for skills that employers and colleges could not Education transformed my life – invest in because of bureaucratic and my time in further education rules long overdue for a reshake. at Thomas Rotherham College For example, why not allow in south Yorkshire was a crucial employers to roll over and invest part of that. unused apprenticeship levy I studied there for the A-levels more widely in skills training? that helped me to become the retraining and reskilling, but for a year after he lost his job in This could perhaps help existing first person in my family to go to Covid-19 has turbocharged this the steel industry in the 1980s. staff to retrain to prevent university. But it gave some of my shift. It was hard to reskill, especially unemployment, or support friends the chance to take a more FE has a pivotal role to play with so little advice on what those being made redundant in vocational route. for this country over the next sort of role to retrain for. Facing refocusing their skills towards a FE colleges are the backbone two years. It must be allowed what economic forecasters say new career. of the education system that to respond to demands from may be another crisis of high Only by getting around helps many young people take existing students and those unemployment, we cannot allow the table with the sector, the next steps after leaving arriving into the system – and it a new generation to have its including training providers school. They especially matter for must be able to help hundreds of talent wasted. and employers, can the right those from more disadvantaged thousands of people to reskill. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, approach be worked out. backgrounds and communities. said that he would do “whatever But there is no time to lose. We already know that the it takes” to help businesses Employers who are committed education shutdown has most “We cannot and families get through the to the Social Mobility Pledge harmed those young people allow a new coronavirus crisis. He must now that I founded to spread more with the most restricted access apply that same ethos to helping opportunity to young people and to opportunity. They must be generation our young people, and those reach Britain’s much wider talent the priority for any education needing to reskill, to get their pool, are also keen to play their catch-up plan – which means to have its education and future careers role. The government needs to that FE must also be a priority. talent wasted” back on track. This is no time for work with them to find out how It educates the young people penny-pinching on investing in it can enable them to do so, or at with the least time left in the Now is the time for the this country’s most important least not get in the way. education system to regain lost government to truly recognise asset – its people. We had a national effort to time. its importance. It will define how Ministers must work creatively help our NHS as we were hit by With recession looming, FE well we handle the challenge with the FE sector and business the peak of the coronavirus crisis. colleges could play a further of keeping people on track to look beyond simply resourcing, We now need the same national crucial role. The steady digital with their careers in spite of to how they can reshape effort to help our education shift of the economy meant everything the economy throws policies to boost the capacity for system cope with its aftermath there was already a need for the at them. reskilling. and the huge disruption to young government to focus more on My father was out of work The apprenticeship levy people.

23 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

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REPLY OF THE WEEK

Incorporation: The end of an READER'S experiment or the end of a myth? An interesting trawl back through all REPLY the names, acts and policies that one has forgotten over the years! The idea of Incorporation: The end of an experiment or the collaboration at local and regional level is end of a myth? as old as the hills now and recurs almost as often as debates about parity between Graham Ripley, website: academic “gold standard” A-levels and vocational qualifications. Putting merits to one side, it is clear that chairs and governing bodies did not join and offer their services pro bono for an organisation structured for the public sector. I remember Ofsted starting off down Such a change would provide an opportunity for chairs to the road of a regional approach to steer and governors to decide if they wish to continue on inspections for a while – remember the that basis. The alternative being resignations on a significant Isle of Wight and Nottingham – and lots scale, or payments on a level similar to an NHS trust board. of talk of including “cradle-to-grave” (NHS trust chairs earn between £18.6k and £23.6k, with non- institutions in those inspections. That executive directors earning £6.2k to £10k.) Might also cause a rethink either alternative? didn’t last for long though…

Monthly apprenticeships update: March starts fall Richard Moore, website 24 per cent and April plummets 72 per cent

Laura Milatos, Facebook Dawe quits AELP to lead training provider It’s not a surprise, is it? Jo Abraham, Twitter: Labour hits out at government response to AELP’s claim ESFA provider relief is ‘unlawful’ Congratulations Mark. You will be missed! Thank you for all of your support over the past few years, you have been a fantastic voice for Steve Lawrence, website #FE #apprenticeships and #skills. I will particularly miss guessing what type of suit you will wear to the annual conference! This is a time when they should go forward and do so for three reasons: PM ‘will look at the idea’ of offering an ‘apprenticeships 1. This may make them think they cannot ride rough-shod guarantee’ every time. Tracy Fishwick, Twitter: 2. This is a clear item where the legal department do not know the whole process, eg ROTAP requirement by the ESFA, The government doesn’t create apprenticeships, employers do. And On Boarding by ESFA, requirement to undertake agreements if those employers can’t pay their wages, he can’t guarantee it. We laid down by ESFA, audits on funding by ESFA and also the need a Youth Guarantee, which is more than apprenticeships. IFA decides the price, agreed additional payments agreed via ESFA, requirements for EPA with agreed EPA authorised by Katy Dorman, Twitter: ESFA and quality-checked by Ofsted, with the right of ESFA to take away a contract. @BorisJohnson great to hear your commitment to “look at anything”, “work with employers” & “do absolutely everything we can” to take 3. If this is so, the levy company should be able to spend how “exceptional steps to help our young people”. I look forward to the they like the funds if the ESFA do not control the contract. plans for emerging support in the coming weeks.

24 @FEWEEK EDITION 319 | FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

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Matthew Anne Janet Vickers Smith Director of Digital Gardner Board member, Skills Academy, North Principal, Waltham Education Training Warwickshire and South Forest College Collective Leicestershire College

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Concurrent job Previous job Previous job Sport England and the Youth Sport Director of the National College of Deputy Chief Executive, Trust's Schools Games Organiser for Education Newham College Middlesbrough

Interesting fact Interesting fact Interesting fact Anne played for Redcar Ladies hockey Matt was the principal dancer in Janet has a keen interest in travelling team for 30 years, joining when she the 2002-03 TV adaptation of The and her most recent experience was a was at school Forsyte Saga starring Damian Lewis tour of the West Coast of America

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